Page 12 - MetalForming April 2011
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The Business of Metalforming By Michael Bleau
Presentations: Keep it Simple
Recently I was reminded how quickly one can over-think something seemingly as simple
Michael Bleau has served manufacturing and consumer-related industries since 1986. Prior to forming Industry Scope, a strategic b2b and b2c sales and mar- keting consultancy, in 2002, he held executive positions for several automation and press
manufacturers. Michael regularly consults with manufacturing companies on strategic planning, sales and marketing, brand and product develop- ment, PR and sales-channel development. Industry Scope
tel. 810/397-1429
mbleau@industry-scope.com www.industry-scope.com
yet as important as a presentation. Case in point: An engineer tasked with presenting to a group of peers who crams 150 slides into a 20-min. time slot. I, too, struggle against this urge to build endless slide decks that are heavy on narrative, packed with bullet points and often contain unnecessary detail.
Such overkill creates barriers to clear and effective communication. To avoid these barriers, consider the following tips to help ensure that presentations are direct, clear and well-received.
Know your audience and define the purpose of the presentation— entertain, persuade, inform, sell, etc. The topic, purpose and audience will help define the tone and approach for the presentation—light-hearted, for-
mal or somewhere in the middle. Also important to consider is the audience members’ level of technical interest and expertise, and their expec- tations. Every presentation should pro- vide takeaway value. Distill complex ideas into specific, concise points that the audience can easily remember and take with them. If attendees don’t walk away with value, they’ll forget you and your presentation, resulting in wasted
time for all involved.
A good presentation “shows” and/or “tells.” In fact, a presentation deck may not be needed at all. If the presenter can engage the audience through an actual demonstration of the subject, a slideshow may become a distraction. Show and tell allows an
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10 MetalForming/April 2011
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